Pitcher could have appeared on Letterman, CBS Early Show

Halladay, who threw the second no-hitter in more than 100 years of postseason major league baseball on Wednesday, turned down offers to be on Letterman, CNN and the CBS Early Show on Thursday.

His reasoning? It was his son's birthday.

But that doesn't explain why he continuously used the word "we" when referring to the way he pitched in Game 1 of the NLDS. It doesn't explain why he's rarely seen in the clubhouse. It doesn't explain why he wasn't around to talk to the media after Thursday's workout at Citizens Bank Park.

"That's him," center fielder Shane Victorino said. "He's the most humble superstar I think I've ever seen, and he has every accolade there is — Cy Young, perfect game, no-hitter in the postseason."

Not only is Halladay humble — several times after Wednesday's performance he credited catcher Carlos Ruiz just as he did after throwing his perfect game on May 29 — he's a pretty serious guy.

Jimmy Rollins has the kind of charisma that people are drawn to — he's got that electric smile, the hop in his step, the laughter and a way with words that make folks gravitate to him.

But no matter how hard he's tried, he hasn't been able to get the Colorado native to loosen up much.

"He smiles. He definitely does," Rollins said. "[But] it's tough because he does his thing. I'll joke with him a little bit, say hello. He's very cordial. But on game day when it's time to go, I want to say something to him, but I'm like, 'If I mess his mojo up, he's going to look at me with a slanted eye, and I really don't need that.' "

It's that almost insane intensity, that seriousness, that unmatched workout regimen that includes a cardio routine even after throwing nine innings, that Rollins said has been the driving force behind why Halladay is where he is today.

"He's very quiet," Rollins said. "He works hard and I don't think success comes as a surprise to him. As hard as he works, he believes in his ability. He executes. He's not going to throw a no-hitter every night, but I think in some part in his mind he feels he probably can."

While most of current Phillies' knowledge of Roy Halladay had been limited to ESPN highlights or word-of-mouth rumblings from other players, right fielder Jayson Werth went to spring training in 2001 with the Toronto Blue Jays and saw firsthand what Halladay is made of.

Werth's relationship with Halladay extended just beyond teammate-to-teammate, though, that spring. Werth was at camp as a catcher and had the chance to be behind the plate to catch Halladay, someone who many are now calling baseball's best pitcher.

"He works harder than everybody, his stuff's better than everybody, he competes harder than everybody," Werth said. "He's that guy that you may or may not have a chance to meet in your life. [I'm] definitely thankful and grateful to be a part of him."

When Halladay arrived in Clearwater before anyone else this spring, the one thing he knew he was going to have to do more of was hit. In his 12 years in the American League, Halladay had gotten just 38 at-bats and had only three hits and one RBI for a .079 batting average.

But the 6-foot-6 right-hander has come up with a few big hits this season, including a two-out, run-scoring single in the second inning that gave the Phillies a 2-0 cushion in Wednesday's Game 1.

"Lucky," Halladay said.

Rollins said there's more to it than that.

"When they're out taking pitchers' batting practice, he's not messing around," Rollins said. "He's working. You can see that. That's just him. He works at whatever he does. He's going to do his best to be his best."

The date of Halladay's next postseason start is undetermined. If the Phillies don't sweep the Reds, he's lined up to pitch Game 4 on Monday. If the Phils win the NLDS in three games, Halladay's next outing will be in the NLCS against either the Braves or the Giants.

If the Phillies get there and all goes well, Halladay would have the chance to pitch in his first World Series.

Nobody knows if that will happen.

But Rollins is certain of one thing.

"The guy just has it," Rollins said. "Whatever 'it' is, he just has it."